Archbishop Coakley elected president of USCCB

Archbishop Paul Coakley emerged from a list of 10 candidates in a vote Tuesday to be named president of the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Coakley, who has served as archbishop of Oklahoma City since 2010, was elected on the third ballot during the second day of the USCCB Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore. He will step into the role immediately.

“I’m humbled by the trust which my brother bishops have placed in me by choosing me to serve as president of our episcopal conference,” Coakley said. “When I became a bishop, I chose as my episcopal motto, ‘Duc in altum,’ or ‘Put Out into the Deep.’

“Once again, the Lord is inviting me to put out into deep waters in calling me to accept this service and burden of leadership today. I accept it in faith and with great hope.”

The 10 candidates on the ballot were selected by the bishops. The incumbent president and vice president, Archbishop Timothy Broglio and Archbishop William Lori, are stepping down as their three-year terms expire.

After two rounds of voting, the third vote was cast with only Coakley and Bishop Daniel E. Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville (Texas) remaining, Coakley winning 128-109. Flores was elected vice president in a subsequent vote of the remaining nine candidates.

Coakley, a bishop since 2004 having previously served in the Diocese of Salina, has been serving in the role of USCCB secretary but will surrender that position as president.

“I ask for the prayers of all of the clergy, religious women and men and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City,” Coakley said. “I have great confidence in the staff of both the USCCB and our own archdiocese. They will help me shoulder these responsibilities.

“Please pray that I may be a faithful steward and a wise servant of unity and communion with our Holy Father, Pope Leo, and with my brother bishops and priests.”

To be elected, the bishop must receive a simple majority of the voting bishops. After the president is selected from the 10-person slate, a vote is then taken among the remaining nine candidates for vice president.

The list of candidates:

• Bishop Robert E. Barron, Diocese of Winona-Rochester
• Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
• Bishop Daniel E. Flores, Diocese of Brownsville
• Archbishop Richard G. Henning, Archdiocese of Boston
• Bishop David J. Malloy, Diocese of Rockford
• Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
• Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
• Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
• Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
• Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, Archdiocese of Detroit

Weisenburger is a former priest and vicar general in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

The only previous USCCB president with Oklahoma ties was Archbishop John R. Quinn, who served as archbishop of Oklahoma City from 1971 to 77, before being appointed Archbishop of San Francisco, where he was when elected.

Coakley’s record as a bishop is noted for his staunch defense for a culture of life, standing strong against both abortion and the death penalty. This year, he has criticized President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts, while also maintaining that countries have a right to protect their borders.